Dawn comes slowly in Mordor, Legolas decided as he sat by the window in his room. He had been awake since about six, yet it was nine by the time any kind of viable light shone through his window. Not that Mordor ever slept, or indeed was ever dark, between the eye of Sauron and the burning mountain behind them, night was bathed in an orange glow. He watched out his window as the Eye's beam swept over the land and then out, toward Erebor or Greenwood he guessed. He swallowed as he thought that somewhere in these halls was Sauron. He wondered who Mairon was, someone of great importance, given that he could order orcs, and had been able to grant him passage in these halls. He would ask if he saw Mairon today. He got to his feet and put the book he had been reading. It was on star identification, he wondered if he could even see the stars here. He had not been looking last night, and it was hardly his first concen. Legolas entered the sitting room and took a piece of fruit that was on the table with the rest of breakfast, Mairon he noticed was not here.

"Is that all the little master requires for breakfast?" One of the goblins asked, looking concerned.

"... uh… no I suppose not.." Legolas sighed sitting down and taking some bread and milk as well. He was sure that Mairon would hear if all he ate for breakfast was a peach. His Ada always complained when he did that, which admittedly had been most days. When he and Taruiel were in a rush to go burn some spider nests. He hoped that was not going to be held against him if he ever did run into Sauron, then again, he was not sure if he even had a physical form. The Necromancer had not been described as being of flesh and bone. It was actually comforting. He smiled to himself and finished his food. "Is er.. Mairon around?" he felt stupid talking to a goblin.

"I am afraid not little master, He had business to attend to, but will meet you for lunch." the goblin bowed and started to clean up breakfast.

"Right, uh.. Thank you." He sighed and headed for the door opening it carefully. He was surprised to find the same Orc leader that had brought him here standing outside with three others. "...Oh."

"Little master." the Orc leader bowed. "Going out?"

"Yes, I… would you please show me around? If there is anywhere outside I am allowed?" He stumbled over his own words, this was going to take some getting used to.

"There is a courtyard set aside for you. Lord Mairon assured us you would like it." They stepped into a formation with Legolas in the middle and began to walk.

As they went along Legolas noticed Orcs and goblins scrambling to get out of their way, Bowing as they passed and whispering to each other. "What are they saying?" He asked the leader.

"Mmm they say that simple hunters should not have the honor of guarding the little master." the orc scowled.

"Simple hunters? I don't understand."

"Uru, I was a hunter pack leader. Was given this position for bringing the little master here."

"Uru, your name is Uru…. are you… female." he had to pause to process that. He had not known there were female orcs.

"Yes." she replied simply and turned them down the hall. Legolas followed along quietly, he wondered how many female orcs there were, there did not seem to be any differences in how they looked, besides that Uru was a bit taller. Finally they stopped at a large set of double doors with more orcs guarding them. Uru barked an order and the two guards moved pulling the doors open. For second time Legolas gaped in awe, before him in this courtyard was a sea of green, flowers, trees, grass. An oasis in an abyss of darkness.

"I thought you said…" he took a step into the garden sighing at the feeling of being surrounded by plants.

"You like it? Master said you would like it." Uru hummed.

"Your master was right…" Legolas breathed as he sank to sit on the grass under a nearby tree. He closed his eyes taking in the smell of the plants, the rustling of their leaves in the warm breeze. He had not dared to wonder before now if he would ever see plants again. He was more relieved than he had ever been before, sitting here. He stayed there for almost a half hour before the need to explore the rest of the garden got to him.

He stood up and headed further in, the courtyard it seemed was fairly large. Enough to run around in and tire himself out if he so chose. He strode through the bushes climbing trees and evading his guards with amusement for a few hours before making his way into the center, where there was a small clearing of wild flowers. He recognised most of them as ones his Ada loved. He sat down once again imagining himself and his Ada making flower crowns, of him collecting flowers and braiding them into Adas hair.

His eyes fluttered, closed once more and a smile formed on his lips. After a moment though something changed. A bright light shown through his eyelid and he shot up. He looked up and immediately dashed for the trees like a frightened deer. Fleeing from the burning Eye that had turned its gaze down upon him. He was not normally one to run and hide, but the thought of Sauron was too much. He settled down in the crook of a willow hidden from view of both the eye and the orcs. Uru had seen where he had gone, but not which tree he had climbed.

Once he had calmed down from the original scare he noticed that the Eye had turned away again. Despite this, he would not climb down. He heard Uru calling for him. Promising him that Lord Sauron had just been curious about him. That did not make him feel safer, but he doubted an orc would understand. In the trees is where he was safe, among the trees is where he was born and raised. Uru stood there apparently at a loss before calling out in black speech to one of the guards who responded and went inside. Legolas watched the doors close and wished once again to be far away from this place.

Mairon swore to himself. He had thought to see how Legolas was enjoying the garden, having been observing Greenwood that morning. Thrandruil had sent out riders at dawn, presumably to look for Legolas. He would have to send a message to him eventually. Once Legolas was content here and everything had been explained to him. That however was going to have to wait. He should have known that Legolas did not want the Eye of Sauron upon him. It had sent him fleeing back into the trees of the garden and upon realizing his mistake Mairon turned his attention back to Greenwood. He sat on his throne cursing himself as one of his sons guards entered.

"Lord Sauron, Captain Uru cannot get the little master down out of a tree. He does not want to move from his hiding spot." the guard said as he knelt.

"... Yes I would imagine not." Mairon rose from the throne sweeping past the guard with a motion to follow. "I suppose I will have an early lunch in the Gardens." He went down to the kitchen to gather food for him and Legolas. He would have had goblins bring the food but he had a better idea to calm Legolas.. He mused over some sweets that were brought by his allies. Sweets in general always seemed to improve anyone's mood, He smiled slightly remembering a trip back to Greenwood he had made long ago before the rings were being made, where he had brought Thranduil something similar. He gathered some and put them in a basket with the rest of the food and eating utensils. A picnic, that what Thranduil had called it, when he had invited Mairon out to a small hidden clearing. He mused in his thoughts as he headed to the garden, he had spent centuries cultivating it, no easy task in Mordor's.. Climate. But nothing his magic could not handle.

He did not acknowledge the guards who opened the doors to the garden and headed towards the center, he knew where his son was as his head guard had not left the base of the tree. she nodded towards him respectfully and backed away leaving him to approach.

"Legolas?" He called softly his voice dripping with power meant to soothe the fear that radiated off the young elf. "It's Mairon, I was told you have been frightened."

"... He looked upon me." A soft reply came from the branches. "Your master the lord of Mordor, the destroyer."

"Yes. I know.. I'm very sorry that it happened so suddenly. Lord Sauron likes to know what happens in his realm. And you are new and fascinating… come down? It's safe, I am here with you." Now that he had the boys attention he could remove his magic from the words. And rely on their bond of creation. The sound of rustling leaves and scraping bark told him of it's success. Legolas peaked out from behind the tree at him, his golden hair had leaves in it now, his blue eyes still filled with anxiety and fear.

"His gaze is turned?" He asked slumping against the trunk of the willow holding onto one of it's hanging Vines as thought it were a lifeline.

"Yes. And I will.. confer with him on the matter of not looking upon you so casually."

Confusion replaced fear on the princes face as he stepped out to the edges of the clearing and sat down. "How, what rank do you hold within these lands. That you can stay the hands and weapons of armies and assure me of safety within these halls." The princes voice held a bite of frustration.

It was a fair question. Mairon tilted his head thoughtfully. "Me and lord Sauron have an… agreement. An understanding if you will." He explained as he set out the food and snacks on the blanket he had brought with him.

"... What, do you have nude paintings of Sauron on your walls as well?"

Mairon choked. Had he made legolas to be like this? Truly Thranduil had a way with words but he was not so brash. "... No." Was all he could muster out.

Legolas was watching him and his reaction. And then he moved, pulling himself out of the bushes and to Mairons side. "... I apologize that was… out of line." The boy sounded exhausted.

"You just had an awful scare. I should have predicted you'd be so snippy in return." Mairon pushed past his shock and smiled at his son, bringing his hand up to run it through his hair. The touch had much the same reaction as the night before. Beneah his touch legolas melted and calmed. As he had before his body had even been completed. Legolas shifted suddenly laying down so his head rested on Mairons lap. A bold move that amused him, bold but safe, and a good sign that Legolas knew he was safe and protected in Mairons presence.

"... What are these?" Legolas asked after laying in silence comforted by Mairons touch.

"Ah, I had wondered when those would catch your eyes…. They are a type of sweet. Your Ada liked them too. He called them delights." He chuckled softly at the memory.

"Ada? When did he have them? I have never seen them before." Legolas sat up and took one trying it cautiously before his eyes lit up in surprise. "... These are amazing."

"Mm, I brought them with me once… on a trip to greenwood." He couldn't help but smile fondly at his son's reaction. Thranduil had lit up much the same way. And then proceeded to shove one in his mouth, insisting that he try them too.

"... How long ago was this?" Legolas tilted his head as he nibbled on the treat.

"... Oh… thousands of years. Your grandfather was king. The rings of power not yet forged."

"... So quite a while before I was born… you didn't know my mother then?"

Mairon stilled fury at the mention of that blasted woman welled up inside like dragon fire. "I did not." He managed to say. Oh he had not known her then. But he had gotten to know the vain, spoiled elf while she was married to his love. He did not mind that Thranduil had married, because he knew that Thranduil was still his, no elf maid was going to get in the way of that. He had watched as she pushed away and neglected Legolas. As she had tried to convince Thranduil to leave him at Dol Guldur, she had tried herself once. But he had one of the wraiths grudgingly redeposit the child back in his room. He had often wondered after that point if he should have kept Legolas then. Instead he had chosen to miss out on raising his son, for Thranduils happiness. His face must have shown his fury because Legolas winced away from him.

"Mairon?" His voice brought him back out of his thoughts and he sighed.

"I did not know her, but I...Observed her, with you and your Ada. Please let us not speak of her." He reached out again just enough to not be touching, allowing Legolas to lean into his touch on his own. He purred in pleasure as he stroked his sons face. "Feeling better now?"

"Yes...What.. is he looking at?" Legolas looked up at his burning eye.

"Erebor I imagine. With the survival of the line of Durin, the dwarves grow strong. Their numbers grow faster than they have in centuries… It will be a thorn in his side when war finally comes."

"Is it? Is war going to come?" The princes eyes widened. "My Ada…"

"Will be fine. No harm will come to the woodland realm, at least none that cannot be reversed. Trees grow stronger after they are burned to ashes. Your people will grow strong once again alongside their forest."

"Must they burn at all?"

Mairon did not bother to answer that. "Come, lets go back inside. You've had enough excitement for one day." The young elf nodded and let Mairon help him up.

"Will you stay? I.. I know you must be busy. Sorry I should not have asked." Legolas had looked hopeful but then faltered and looked down.

"I can stay, there are no more meetings today, and my lord seems to be preoccupied." He laid his forehead against his sons briefly, it was an affectionate motion. One the prince was surely familiar with. "Come Legolas." He took the prince by the shoulders and led him back inside. Everything was going as he had wanted. Perhaps he would send that letter sooner rather than later.